Jammu and Kashmir sees fresh snow, rain; temperatures drop again
What's the story
Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, residents woke up to a rainy Saturday morning. The downpour came after locals celebrated Holi on Friday.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Srinagar's temperature was 2.6 degrees Celsius at 10:00am on March 15 with a relative humidity of 94%.
This weather pattern has led to a drop in temperatures in the region.
Weather forecast
Gulmarg blanketed in fresh snow
The IMD had forecast isolated heavy rain and snowfall in J&K on March 15.
The Gulmarg area in Baramulla district was covered in fresh snow, with a temperature of 0.2 degrees Celsius and 100% relative humidity.
Heavy rains are also likely to batter Himachal Pradesh on March 15 and 16, and Uttarakhand on March 16.
Weather analysis
Cyclonic circulation triggers weather changes
The IMD said that the weather changes in Jammu and Kashmir were due to a cyclonic circulation of a Western Disturbance over central Afghanistan and Pakistan.
It said, "Fairly widespread to widespread light/moderate rainfall/snowfall accompanied with thunderstorm & lightning likely over Western Himalaya region."
This pattern will continue till March 16 over the Western Himalaya region.
Future predictions
Srinagar's weather forecast and beyond
Srinagar's six-day weather forecast indicates partly cloudy days on March 16 and 19, with clear skies on the other days.
Maximum and minimum temperatures are predicted between 15 degrees Celsius and one degree Celsius.
The Meteorological Center Srinagar said, "Intermittent light to moderate Rain/Snow (higher reaches) at many places till 16 morning & improvement thereafter."
Weather alerts
Heavy downpours and thunderstorms expected in other states
Apart from J&K, Arunachal Pradesh is also expected to be hit by heavy showers till March 18.
Moderate spells are likely in Haryana, UP, and Rajasthan on March 15.
The IMD has also issued a warning of thunderstorms with lightning for March 16.
All the weather activity is a result of the Western Disturbance impacting northern India.